Vadodara: The mercury crossed 46 degrees Celsius in Rajkot on Monday, making it the hottest day of the season. Consequently, electricity consumption also shot up across the state, with peak power demand breaching the 26,000 MW mark for the first time this summer season.

On Monday, the record for the highest electricity demand was broken at 3 pm, reaching a new level of 26,472 MW. In just 24 hours, electricity demand increased by 1,695 MW, as on Sunday, the demand stood at 24,777 MW. On Saturday, peak power demand had stood at 25,933 MW.

Jaiprakash Shivahare, managing director of Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd, had earlier said that with the power demand already having crossed the 25,000 MW mark in April, it was likely to rise to 27,000 MW in May. Now, with yesterday’s number, it looks like the power demand is going to touch a new high in the near future.

The Meteorological Department has predicted that the mercury will cross 43°C to 45°C in some cities this week, leading to orange and yellow alerts being issued. In response, power companies are taking steps to ensure a continuous electricity supply to citizens.

The state government has also instructed the Gujarat Energy Development Corporation, along with all four power distribution companies, as well as the generation and transmission companies, to meet the rising electricity demand. DeshGujarat